Bactrim/Septra : (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) Oral Antibiotic

I got horrendous cystic acne on one cheek when I was seventeen. I tried nearly every topical treatment under the sun and saw no progress. I was first prescribed doxy, but it gave me really bad GI side effects so I quit that after only a week or two. I got a dermatologist and was prescribed Bactrim. After about a month, it was working spectacularly. My acne was all but gone (mild breakouts with one to two pimples) and the scarring was starting to fade. I stayed on Bactrim, lowering the dosage from two pills daily to one. I felt great about myself and my appearance. However, fast forward six months. My acne started coming back, slowly but surely. Eventually, my cheek was back to being covered with acne (just in time for college, of course), despite the fact that I had started taking two pills again. My derm then prescribed me Solodyn, which did not work AT ALL. I went back to Bactrim and saw a little improvement. I went to my primary to get birth control, thinking that it may be hormonal. I should have researched BC more, I think, because I was prescribed the mini-pill due to my family's history of breast cancer. However, I was not informed that the mini-pill actually CAUSES acne. I started breaking out way more on my jawline and the opposite cheek. Now, after two months on the mini-pill, my right cheek (the initial one) is completely clear except for scarring, but I have four or five cysts on my left cheek. I'm going back to my primary to try and get on a real BC pill, despite the risk because my periods are irregular as well, leading me to believe that I might have some sort of estrogen deficiency or androgen surplus. My derm keeps pushing accutane, but I'm a collegiate athlete and can't afford the joint pain and muscle weakening that are common side effects of the drug (not to mention that my mother is not supportive of it in the slightest). So, yeah. I'm still taking Bactrim, but I still have moderate acne. tl;dr Bactrim is an antibiotic. Eventually, the bacteria will develop an immunity to the drug and it will stop working as well. Keep that in mind. That said, nothing else I've taken has worked as well for as long.

Bactrim is an oral antibiotic typically used to treat infections. My dermatologist prescribed it to me on a whim because the tetracycline medications weren't working for me and I didn't want to go on accutane just yet because I have problems with depression and it's just a hassle going to there doctor every month. I saw results in one month of using bactrim. I was able to start using less acne products and miss washing my face without breaking out. My face became way less oily and now I'm only left with acne marks that are left behind from all the pimples. For this, I'm using acne.org's AHA product because it increases cell turnover and exfoliates the top layers of the skin. Hopefully it will work!

A great alternative to the seriousness of accutane. Truly a life saver for those who find other remedies useless.

I am 44 and had a cystic breakout a year and a half ago that was more severe than anything I'd had in my teens/twenties. This acne is also causing some (minor) scarring. I take two pills a day (am/pm), but am also concerned on the long term effects of Bactrim and my liver (especially if you drink alcohol, like me!). It definitely helped for the first year but I'm now experiencing the same level of acne as before I started taking the medication.

this is the only medication that successfully cleared my face. i recommended to anyone who has cyctic acne.

worked much better than mino or tetracycline! definitely recommended but no results right away. everything stayed the same until about a month and then i saw major improvement. still TONS of shadows but at least no more acne!

Omg! i am so happy because my face is so clean and soft ^___^ now i can go outside and have fun, i have taking the medicine about 3 months and is awesome. The first days u start to taking it may u think it doesnt work but like in 3 weeks the differents starts so I highly recommended!!.^^ Sakura.!~

give this a try. it is potent and can even clear persistant cysts (have used this in the past - each time with great results; but it does all come back pretty quickly if you stop)

I used this product for about 2 weeks and it did wonders to reduce my acne occurance and oilyness. However, after 2 weeks, I had a fever of 101, rash, and dizziness. I would give this product a shot because if you are not allergic, then it could do wonders. I had moderatly severe acne

I had terrible acne which developed quite late, was 28 and it came without any warning! After trying everything I could i was prescribed Crime thoprim by my doctor. I didn't see the results straight away, but after about 2 months or so all my spots have vanished and i don't get new ones. I would recommend it to everyone!